We caught up with Los Angeles based artist Neepz following the release of his brilliant collaboration with Najashi. ‘Ras Warrior’ is out now!
What is your earliest music memory?
My earliest memory of being involved with music was as a child, learning and performing a children’s hymn to perform with my siblings in church.
Who or what got you into music?
Being from the islands of Trinidad & Tobago, I was raised in a culture that celebrates music, so it’s always been a part of my life, but I would say that my older brother, Nick Arthur, got me into music.
He would get the latest popular tunes and share them with me. Everyone would come around to hear the music we were playing, so naturally, we began deejaying, which eventually led me to writing and recording my own songs.
Who influenced your latest release?
The people really and the need for voices like mine to address injustices through the messages within our music.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I would be honoured to work with artists, Sizzla Kalonji, H.E.R., Stevie Wonder, and Rihanna.
What’s your dream venue to play?
Well, I think performing at The Grammy Awards would be a true dream come true.
Other than music, what are you passionate about?
I really enjoy cooking and trying new foods. I’m also passionate about improving humanity and preserving our environment here on Earth.
What changes would you like to see in the music business?
I would love to see a step towards inclusion rather than exclusion. Reggae and Caribbean music is enjoyed and celebrated all over the world and influences top artist’s hits in other genres, yet the genre itself is still treated as an afterthought with some major music organizations.
How do you feel about how the internet plays a role in the music business today?
I think the internet is a doorway for many artists who did not have the opportunity to be heard before. Independent artists now have the freedom to make financial and marketing moves on their own time in a manner that will benefit them the most.
Our society as a whole is becoming more reliant on the internet as a whole, especially during this worldwide pandemic, so music must find a way to adapt to where it benefits both the artists and the fans alike. I think that online and interactive shows are going to see a big boom while large venues are closed.
If you could choose one thing for fans to take away from your music, what would it be?
I create music with messages to invoke positive and empowering feelings, as well as, music to dance to and just enjoy life, so I would say the result, either way, is for fans to find Joy within themselves.
What is your favourite song to play live?
I think my new collaboration with Najashi, ‘Ras Warrior’, is going to be a favourite. The energy it invokes when played is tremendous, and I feel the audience is going to really get into it.
Have you started working on your next release?
Yes, I stay working on something. Ha Ha. I’ve been releasing a lot of singles, but I plan to release a collection of songs on an EP next year. Stay tuned.
FV Music Blog September 2020
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/neepzandnajashi/ras-warrior
https://www.facebook.com/neepz
https://www.instagram.com/neepzmusic
Twitter: @NeepzM
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